Manager, Individual Giving & Special Events

Spoonfuls keeps good food from going to waste. Through food recovery and distribution, education, and advocacy, we work to address the health, environmental, and economic impact that wasted food has on people and the planet. To learn more about our work, visit spoonfuls.org.

Reporting to the Director of Individual Giving & Special Events, the ideal candidate is a highly organized self-starter who can juggle multiple priorities and projects simultaneously in order to grow our donor base. In addition to managing events and deepening relationships with event attendees, this individual will directly engage with donors, cultivate giving relationships, and manage donor stewardship efforts. The Manager, Individual Giving & Special Events will join a dynamic, productive team of development professionals in the exciting next chapter of Spoonfuls' 14-year history. This is an opportunity to be part of a high-functioning, collaborative, and creative fundraising team that fuels Spoonfuls' mission and impact across Massachusetts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Special Events Management and Planning

• In partnership with the Director of Individual Giving & Special Events, lead a robust and growing events program to raise $1M in critical funds, attract and secure new donors, and steward champions of Spoonfuls, including Cocktails & Community, a series of regional happy hours and open houses, and Spoonfuls' signature event, Ultimate Tailgate
• Create detailed timelines for all events that cover vendors, marketing and email schedules, sponsorships and auction items, ticket sales, logistics (including permit and license deadlines), guest communications, night-of fundraising and oversee and own all aforementioned event logistics, vendor relationships, and general management, including pre-event, day-of, and post-event.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to create compelling event materials, including emails, social promotion, event websites, signage, guest communications, speaking points, and more. Shepherd event-related communications projects through process from start to finish. Compile detailed creative briefs, coordinate reviews and approvals of drafts, and organize and share edits in a timely manner.
• Support development colleagues by owning logistics for smaller events related to corporate employee engagement, community outreach initiatives, specialty food recovery/distribution, advocacy, and other opportunities that may arise.
• Help develop and manage new events related to donor stewardship, an emerging leaders donor initiative, a future development campaign, geographic expansion, an ambassador board, and more.

Donor Cultivation, Stewardship and Solicitation

• Support Spoonfuls' Ultimate Tailgate committee to drive event success. Build relationships with members, provide excellent communication, create resources to solicit and promote on behalf of Spoonfuls, coordinate meeting logistics, and more
• Play an active and creative role in soliciting event sponsors and stewarding those relationships year round; solicit in-kind donations for raffle and auction items and follow-up as needed to reach night-of fundraising goals
• Partner with the Coordinator, Development & Administration to generate prospective donor lists and organize, clean, and tailor them for Communications colleagues and direct mail partners
• Play a key role in seasonal individual giving solicitations via direct mail, email, social promotion, and personal follow up and provide support as needed in project management, personalizing appeals, and conducting donor outreach and follow up

Systems and Budget Management & Data Analysis

• Manage Spoonfuls' event platform, OneCause. Create and manage pages for each event, coordinating language, images, ticket sales, sponsor logos, platform based communications, and night-of interface for a seamless guest experience
• Work closely with the Coordinator, Development & Administration to ensure event gifts are entered into Salesforce accurately, including sponsorships, ticket sales, in-kind gifts, and night-of fundraising proceeds, as well as event attendance
• Compile post-event analysis and monitor monthly development reports, tracking progress towards overall events program and individual event goals
• Coordinate payments of event related expenses with accounting colleagues and maintain event budgets for planning, as well as tax and audit purposes

Individual Giving

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Development and Communications teams to drive progress and support initiatives to raise $1.3M from individual giving in 2025, with significant growth in the immediate future years.
• Partner with the Director of Individual Giving & Special Events to develop and launch a new emerging leaders donor initiative. Bring an entrepreneurial spirit, can-do attitude, and enthusiasm to build strong relationships with key donors who will serve as the volunteer leaders and core members.
• Identify individuals and communities of prospects and develop systems to track and engage these folks with the program. Plan events, spearhead communications, bring creativity, and be open to feedback as we continue to develop the program.
• Build relationships with annual fund donors through consistent personal outreach and engagement via email, phone, meetings, events, and committee participation. Share stewardship notes, event invitations, advocacy updates, and other Spoonfuls news. Solicit gifts, follow up, and thank donors for their support.

It is the expectation of all Spoonfuls team members to be flexible, adaptable, and willing to assist other departments as needed to get the job done and accomplish annual goals.

Qualifications:

• Exceptional organizational and project management skills; ability to juggle multiple projects and priorities, meet deadlines, and work well under pressure.
• Strong communication skills, tact, and discretion; ability to work collaboratively with colleagues of all levels of the organization, across departments, and with external stakeholders and donors.
• Excellent donor communications, customer service, and relationship-building skills. Willingness to make cold calls, emails, and be persistent.
• Desire to learn and grow as an events and fundraising professional.
• Interest and enthusiasm for food rescue and food justice issues.

Hours:

Hybrid - Full-Time: Monday through Friday, 9AM-5PM. Some nights and weekends will be required for events and committee meetings.

Benefits:

Spoonfuls provides health, vision, and dental insurance through our PEO partner, as well as generous PTO and holiday closures.

Physical Demands:

This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing and materials management is required. This would require the ability to move files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Some tasks outside the office may be required (attending meetings, attending events, shipping materials, etc.).